United Way Readers understand the importance of investing in a child’s future, and is committed to ensuring children are reading at grade level by the start of the fourth grade – when they transition from learning to read to reading to learn.

Throughout the school year, United Way mobilizes volunteers to read with students in our community, once a week. These consistent, one-on-one interactions help to build comprehension, literacy and vocabulary skills.

Now, Aiden is improving his reading skills and gaining more confidence.

“How I became a better reader is by reading a lot of books and practicing … a lot,” says Aiden. “My United Way Volunteer Reader helped me with that. I’m going to continue to read so I can be smarter.”